Topic: Discipleship

Title: Making a Difference
Series: Heart Of A Disciple
Text: Matthew 5:13-16

God has sent disciples on His mission to be salt of the earth and light of the world. What does the mission involve?

General Questions:

1) What makes disciples the salt of the earth and the light of the world?

2) What may cause a disciple to lose his or her “saltiness” or hide his or her “light”?

Perspective Questions:

1) Why do you think Jesus finds the need to teach about the “salt and light” function of disciples? What does this tell you about the relationship between disciples and the world?

2) What is the difference between letting one’s light shine before others (Mt 5:16) and showing off one’s acts of righteousness before others (Mt 6:1)? How can believers tell when they are doing the former or the latter?

Application Questions:

1) In what ways are you challenged to be salt and light? What could be holding you back? What may help you to accomplish your God-given mission to be salt and light?

2) In His teaching on disciples being light of the world, Jesus uses the analogy of a brightly lit town on a hill that cannot be hidden (Mt 5:14). This illustrates the corporate effect of the community of disciples shining their light together. How can the LG shine together during pandemic times?

Series: Pivot – Circles and Rows
Title: The Heart of a Disciple-maker
Text: 1 Thess. 2:7-12

If the Church is to reflect the light of Christ to the world, then discipleship is essential in ensuring that the Church continues to shine. How should we view and approach our calling to be disciple-makers?

General Questions:
1) From 1 Thess. 2:3-6, what can you say are the motives of the Paul?
2) In 1 Thess. 2:7-12, what are the two imageries used to describe a disciple-maker? What are the key characteristics of each imagery?

Perspective Questions:
1) Why do you think Paul finds it necessary to use two imageries? Are these two imageries still relevant for the new norm? How so?
2) A nursing mother gives selflessly even though the child does not give back. Why should a disciple-maker adopt such an attitude?
3) A loving father models and encourages his child. Why is it necessary for Paul to highlight the apostles’ blameless living (v10) before mentioning that they were “encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” (v12)?

Application Questions:
1) When making disciples, we need to rely on God and draw closer to Christ. Share one thing you can do in the coming week to spend more time with Christ and ask Him to lead you to disciple someone.
2) If you are a mentor or leader, how would you want to grow as a disciple-maker? What could be some obstacles you face? How can the LG support you in your growth?

Series: Pivot – Circles and Rows

The new norm has arrived but God’s call for the church remains the same. Jesus gives the church the ultimate cause – making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). If we have forgotten our life mission, lost our focus or quenched our passion, now is the time to remember and renew our commitment to the cause of Christ.

Series: Pivot – Circles and Rows

The new norm has arrived but God’s call for the church remains the same. Jesus gives the church the ultimate cause – making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). If we have forgotten our life mission, lost our focus or quenched our passion, now is the time to remember and renew our commitment to the cause of Christ.

Good things are meant to be shared! And so too, the Good News of Jesus must reach many more out there. What practical actions can we take and how do we maintain our passion for evangelism?

Good things are meant to be shared! And so too, the Good News of Jesus must reach many more out there. What practical actions can we take and how do we maintain our passion for evangelism?

1) Excitement for evangelism is an overflow of personal experience with God. When was the last time you receive a fresh touch from God?

2) Ps Lawrence shares we can be so comfortable and busy living in our circles that we no longer have pre-believing friends. What are some reasons believers can land into such a situation? How can believers be intentional in building relationships with the lost? It is always easier to love and associate with people similar to ourselves, how can we prepare ourselves to love people who are different from us?

3) Jesus calls us to care for those who cannot care for themselves. Jesus did this by coming down and walking among the very people that needed him. What are some ways believers can walk among the neediest of our society? As a Life Group, how can we encourage each other to care and help those in need?

We live in a society that emphasises results and speed. We want the desired outcome and we want it as soon as possible. Even though we know that the Christian race looks more like a marathon, many of us treat it like a sprint. How can we be believers that do not just run fast, but run far? How can we run a good race and finish it well? Join us as we kick-off our four-part Core Modules series with the message, Running The Distance.

In this fast-changing world, the need to be ‘future ready’ is growing more prevalent. Governments, businesses, and schools navigate future challenges with good foresight, keeping up with the times, and develop resilience in the face of adversity.
But what does Scripture say about the endgame that believers need to prepare for? In this 4-part series on 2 Peter, explore Peter’s instructions for believers to be future-ready in the way that God wants His people to be.

THE IMPACT OF HIS FUTURE ON OUR PRESENT
Text: 2 Peter 3:11-13
Series: Endgame – Becoming Future Ready

We know the endgame that is Christ’s return, so how should we conduct ourselves until it happens? Some may be obsessed with knowing when the world will end because they want to be prepared. Yet Jesus is clear that the time is unknown though He will certainly come. How then can we as believers be prepared?

Discussion Guide

1) We live in expectation of His coming (11-12)

What do you do when you’re expecting something, like a baby, promotion or good results? How is it similar to how you would prepare for Christ’s return? What does Christ’s second coming mean to you? Do you look forward to it, and why? What does our anticipation (or lack of it) for Christ’s return say about our attachment to the world? How does Christ’s return affect your desire to live holy and godly lives? When you think about holiness, what comes to mind? In the Bible, holiness means that we as God’s people are set apart for God for His purpose and to reflect His character. This includes being upright in our ethics, for God possesses superior moral qualities. How does holy living look like in our workplace, school or home, especially when the majority culture adheres to different values? How is it different from the licentious lifestyles of some who do not know God? What struggles do Christians normally face in holy living? Godly living is living in a way that acknowledges the God we worship and fulfils His expectations of His people. How can we demonstrate our devotion to God in our dealings with people, career, money etc? Why is it important to not just do the right thing but to do it out of a heart of devotion to God? How can we grow in our understanding of what God expects of us? What usually hinders Christians from godly living? In light of Christ’s return, how can the Life Group encourage one another in holy and godly living?

2) We live in hope of His promised new world (13)

We have all faced hurts and disappointment in our lives. How do we view these scars? When we face other tough times, how do we usually deal with it? Meanwhile, there are others who seem to be carefree and unaffected by troubles. Why do you think they behave this way? How do you think they view the world? Should we emulate their worldview? Why? Peter urges believers to “look forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” How does this encourage those of us who are going through difficult times in this world? What does this tell us about hope? How is hope different from wishful thinking? By looking at the things/areas that we have invested our resources and energy in, it is easy to spot what some of us may have placed our hope in (e.g. wealth, achievements, social status etc). Take some time to consider these things and evaluate them side by side with the promised new world. Which is more permanent? Which is more secure? Why? Why can we be certain that the righteous new order will definitely come to pass? In other words, how do we know that God will keep the promise of ushering in the new world? Instead of placing our hope in things of this world, how can we place our hope in God who keeps His word? How can the Life Group spur one another on to look forward to the new world?

Reflection Questions

1) We live in expectation of His coming (11-12)

What does Christ’s second coming mean to you? Do you look forward to it, and why? How does Christ’s return affect your desire to live holy and godly lives?

2) We live in hope of His promised new world (13)

How do we know that God will keep His promise of ushering in the new world? How does this encourage those of us who are going through difficult times in this world? Instead of placing our hope in things of this world, how can we place our hope in God who keeps His word?